THE CURRICULUM - PHSCE

Students enjoy one period each week of PSHCE. During this time they study and discuss themes relevant to themselves and their development in today's world.

A comprehensive course is followed in Years 7, 8 and 9 which may be divided into four broad bands, these being;

Understanding Yourself

This self awareness element deals with issues related to developing the knowledge and ability needed to manage emotions, make decisions and handle money.

Keeping Healthy

These units aim to complement the work done elsewhere in the school curriculum and focus on issues relevant to adolescence like attitudes towards self-value, drug abuse, exercise and safe sex.

Developing Positive Relationships

This strand of the course aims to develop students' ability to handle close relationships and to show respect and responsibility in dealing with other people in the community.

Developing As A Citizen

This section of the course provides students with an opportunity to learn about Citizenship and explore such themes as Human Rights, Government and the Power of the Media. Students are also encouraged to recognise that they can learn to become active citizens through participation in school and community projects.

In years 10 and 11 students follow a GCSE course that enables them to focus their studies on how our world is influenced by two major religions (Christianity and Islam). During three lessons each week students also develop their own attitudes towards relationships, rights and responsibilities in respect of themes like prejudice and discrimination in society.

In years 12 and 13 students attend one class per week and explore a variety of themes based around a stimulating curriculum that satisfies both PSHCE and RE statutory obligations.